Tanzania's Islands

Zanzibar (Unguja) is the anchor of most Tanzania island itineraries. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, is compact enough to walk in a morning but rich enough to fill two or three days: the 1699 Arab Fort, the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of the last open slave market, the Darajani spice bazaar, and the House of Wonders (currently under restoration) frame the waterfront. Guided Stone Town walking tours covering the slave market memorial and the labyrinthine alleyways typically cost $20–35 through licensed guides at the Stone Town Cultural Centre. Spice farm tours run half a day and cost approximately $20–35 per person depending on group size - most include a lunch of Zanzibari dishes and a demonstration of clove, vanilla, and turmeric cultivation.

Zanzibar's beaches split by location and character. Nungwi and Kendwa on the northern tip have the best year-round swimming: the shallow sandbar at Nungwi means you can wade far offshore at low tide, and Kendwa's beach holds water at all tide levels (rare on the island). Both are busiest and most resort-heavy. Paje on the southeast coast is the kite-surfing hub - consistent southeast trade winds from June to October draw riders from across East Africa, and Blue Marlin Paje and Kite Centre Zanzibar both offer courses from approximately $150 for a 3-hour beginner session. The southeast coast beaches are affected by the tide more dramatically than the north; check tide times before booking accommodation there.

Mafia Island, 130 kilometres south of Zanzibar, sits inside the Mafia Island Marine Park - one of the largest marine protected areas in the Indian Ocean. The island has no significant tourist infrastructure beyond a handful of dive lodges and guesthouses; Blue Bay Beach Resort and Butiama Beach are the main mid-range options, both starting around $100–150 per night. The headline attraction is whale shark aggregations: from October to March, juvenile whale sharks gather in the shallow channels around Kitutia reef, and snorkelling encounters are nearly guaranteed on a clear day. Dive operators including Shamba Kilole and Kinasi Lodge run dedicated whale shark excursions. Flights from Dar es Salaam to Mafia take approximately 35 minutes (Coastal Aviation and Air Tanzania operate the route; fares from $100–180 one-way).

Pemba Island is the least visited of Tanzania's three main islands and appeals almost entirely to divers. The deep channels surrounding Pemba - descending to over 800 metres within a few kilometres of shore - create upwellings that feed dramatic wall dives, large pelagics, and some of the densest soft coral coverage in the Indian Ocean. Manta Resort and Fundu Lagoon both operate dedicated dive programmes; prices are at the premium end ($300–600 per night). Access is by propeller aircraft from Zanzibar (30 minutes, approximately $100–150 one-way) or by ferry from Stone Town (5–6 hours; far cheaper but infrequent).

Getting there and seasons: Zanzibar is reached by ferry from Dar es Salaam (Azam Marine fast ferry; approximately 2 hours, $35 economy) or by flight from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Kilimanjaro (30–55 minutes; $80–150). The main dry seasons - June to October and December to February - offer the clearest water, best visibility, and driest beach weather. The long rains (March–May) bring reduced visibility offshore but significantly lower lodging rates on Zanzibar. October to March is the whale shark season on Mafia.